Dunker transferring from Florida

Published: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 6:53 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 6:53 p.m.

The brief but troubled Florida career of offensive guard Jessamen Dunker is over. UF coach Will Muschamp announced Monday that Dunker is going to transfer to another school.

“I met with Jessamen Dunker, matter of fact about an hour before I came in here. He's decided to transfer, Muschamp said. “He and I just felt like he needed a fresh start. He felt like he needed a fresh start, and I didn't disagree with him. Didn't really get into where.

“We're going to continue to work through that. It's his job to finish up strong academically here at Florida.”

Dunker, a redshirt freshman from Boynton Beach, is facing a charge of grand theft of a motor vehicle following his January arrest for riding a stolen scooter on campus. His case is still under investigation by the State Attorney's Office.

Muschamp said earlier in the day that a decision on Dunker's status with the team would be made in a day or two.

The decision was reached before Dunker's case was resolved.

"Guys get in a situation and obviously he's got some pretty well-documented off-the-field issues, and we talked about it and he felt like he needed a fresh start and I support him,” Muschamp said. “It's not something we started talking about this Monday. I think I was asked the question this morning at some point in the teleconference for the SEC. We had not discussed yet today until about an hour ago. Again, you support them and hope for the best for them."

Huntley Johnson, Dunker's attorney, said Wednesday he did not expect a resolution in the case for another week or two.

Before his troubles began earlier in the year, Dunker was considered the probable starter at left guard. But after his arrest, Muschamp suspended him from all team activity.

Dunker got in further trouble after his arrest when he was cited for continuing to drive with a suspended license.

With Dunker out of the competition in the spring, Maryland transfer Max Garcia emerged as the starter at left guard. His backup is redshirt junior Ian Silberman, who missed the spring with a shoulder injury.

<p>The brief but troubled Florida career of offensive guard Jessamen Dunker is over. UF coach Will Muschamp announced Monday that Dunker is going to transfer to another school.</p><p>“I met with Jessamen Dunker, matter of fact about an hour before I came in here. He's decided to transfer, Muschamp said. “He and I just felt like he needed a fresh start. He felt like he needed a fresh start, and I didn't disagree with him. Didn't really get into where.</p><p>“We're going to continue to work through that. It's his job to finish up strong academically here at Florida.”</p><p>Dunker, a redshirt freshman from Boynton Beach, is facing a charge of grand theft of a motor vehicle following his January arrest for riding a stolen scooter on campus. His case is still under investigation by the State Attorney's Office.</p><p>Muschamp said earlier in the day that a decision on Dunker's status with the team would be made in a day or two.</p><p>The decision was reached before Dunker's case was resolved.</p><p>"Guys get in a situation and obviously he's got some pretty well-documented off-the-field issues, and we talked about it and he felt like he needed a fresh start and I support him,” Muschamp said. “It's not something we started talking about this Monday. I think I was asked the question this morning at some point in the teleconference for the SEC. We had not discussed yet today until about an hour ago. Again, you support them and hope for the best for them."</p><p>Huntley Johnson, Dunker's attorney, said Wednesday he did not expect a resolution in the case for another week or two.</p><p>Before his troubles began earlier in the year, Dunker was considered the probable starter at left guard. But after his arrest, Muschamp suspended him from all team activity.</p><p>Dunker got in further trouble after his arrest when he was cited for continuing to drive with a suspended license.</p><p>With Dunker out of the competition in the spring, Maryland transfer Max Garcia emerged as the starter at left guard. His backup is redshirt junior Ian Silberman, who missed the spring with a shoulder injury.</p>